What is intracranial hematoma?
An intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood within the skull. It's most commonly caused by the rupture of a blood vessel within the brain or from trauma such as a car accident or fall.
The blood collection can be within the brain tissue or underneath the skull, pressing on the brain.
Some head injuries, such as one that causes only a brief lapse of consciousness, can be minor. However, an intracranial hematoma is potentially life-threatening. It usually requires immediate treatment, which might include surgery to remove the blood.
Symptoms
You might develop signs and symptoms of an intracranial hematoma right after an injury to your head, or they may take weeks or longer to appear.
You might seem fine after a head injury, a period called the lucid interval.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Increasing headache
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness and progressive loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Unequal pupil size
- Slurred speech
- Paralysis
- Lethargy, seizures, unconsciousness
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention after a blow to the head if you:
- Lose consciousness
- Have a persistent headache
- Experience vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, unsteadiness
If signs and symptoms aren't immediately evident after a blow to the head, watch for physical, mental and emotional changes.
Also, even if you feel fine, ask someone to keep an eye on you. Memory loss after a blow to your head can make you forget about the blow.
Someone you tell might be more likely to recognize the warning signs and get you medical attention.
Causes
A head injury is the most common cause of bleeding within the skull.
A head injury may result from motor vehicle or bicycle accidents, falls, assaults, and sports injuries.
If you're an older adult, even mild head trauma can cause a hematoma. This is especially true if you're taking a blood-thinning medication.
You can have a serious injury even if there's no open wound, bruise or other obvious damage.
There are three categories of hematoma:
- Subdural hematoma
- Epidural hematoma
- Intracerebral (intraparenchymal) hematoma.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intracranial-hematoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20356145
